Paul Craney: Patrick fails to build consensus

While the governor tried to show compassion while playing to our faith and patriotism, his actions were the farthest from compassionate. Leaving public office in less than 6 months, the burden of Patrick's decision-making for our future will likely fall on others.

Immigration is an issue I know well. I have first-hand experience with it, as my mother and half my immediate family immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the early 1980s.

My mother was born and raised in Mexico City while my father was from New Jersey. They met in Mexico City while my father pursued a professional soccer career. Once my parents came back to the United States and started their lives together in my father’s hometown in New Jersey, my aunts, uncles and cousins soon immigrated to New Jersey from Mexico as well.

I was fortunate to have parents who were married, committed to their children and their children’s education, and taught the value of hard work early on. Although both my parents are educated and distinguished in their careers, I was the first in my family to graduate from college, followed by my only other sibling. My sister and I are both now working and happily married.

The topic of immigration has been in the news as Gov. Deval Patrick recently announced that Massachusetts would temporarily care for approximately 1,000 immigrant children for four months, while the federal government covers their cost and determines the fate of these children. The children come from Central and South America. It’s still unclear but it appears many are without parents and presumably not many have family in the United States let alone Massachusetts.

During his press conference, Patrick stated, “I believe, that we will, one day, have to answer for our actions and our inactions.” At one point, the teary-eyed governor compared the current situation to that of Jewish families being turned away in 1939 as they tried to flee from Nazi Germany on the St. Louis.

While the governor tried to show compassion while playing to our faith and patriotism, his actions were the farthest from compassionate. Leaving public office in less than 6 months, the burden of Patrick’s decision-making for our future will likely fall on others.

It’s possible that local leaders in the communities where proposals would place these children will have to bear the responsibility of caring for them. State state Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich, who represents part of one of the communities, pointed out that local leaders were not informed of the decision until the governor’s press conference. If some of these children are to remain indefinitely, our next governor will have to ensure that adequate provision is made both for the children and the communities.

My family’s story is an immigration success story, but I was given a tremendous head start. These children regrettably don’t have the advantages that I benefited from. The responsible course of action is to reunite them with their families.

Page 2 of 2 - As Patrick’s time in office comes to a close, he’s leaving behind a controversy-riddled state system that these children may well fall into. Department heads have routinely found themselves in the media spotlight, departments have come under fire, local aid has been reduced for many municipalities during his eight years in office and the state ranks nearly dead last in several important economic categories. Now, he’s leaving these children in his wake.

Patrick correctly stated that one day, we will have to answer for our actions and our inactions. Why the governor didn’t get buy-in from local leaders or leave state government better than when he entered it remains unanswered.

Paul D. Craney is the executive director of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. Follow him on Twitter @PaulDiegoCraney.